A view of Howard Hughes (wearing headphones, left) inside and at the controls of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.

The view of Howard Hughes being escorted through a crowd of attendees at the World's Fair in New York. Description printed on back of photograph: "Saving Hughes from hero-worshippers. New York - Howard Hughes surrounded by police as he was escorted from his monoplane shortly after landing Floyd Bennett Field. 7/14/38"

A view of Grover Whalen, Howard Hughes, and Al Lodwick riding in the back of an automobile during a parade procession. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes (center), Grover Whalen (Left) and Albert Lodwick during the New York reception for Hughes after completing his round-the-world flight. 7/15/38."

A view of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat going on an unscheduled test run in San Pedro, California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat going on an unscheduled test run in San Pedro, California.

The black and white view of men assembling a truck loaded with old telephone booths for Howard Hughes arrival in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Telephone company "goes to town" for Hughes' arrival, New York City -- Something had to be done to take care of the thousands of potential telephone users who crowded Floyd Bennett Field, July 14th, for the arrival of Howard Hughes and his daring crew on their dash Around the World, so the New York Telephone Company, well aware of the fact that the few phones at the field couldn't possibly accommodate, the officials, police, and spectators, "went to town" with a truck loaded with old telephone booths. A line was quickly strung and the phones in the booths on the truck were plugged in. The business was rushing and the phone company was well rewarded for its enterprise. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38."